Solar panel clamp

ABSTRACT

A clamping apparatus secures a photovoltaic module to a rail. The clamping apparatus includes a bolt extending between a first end and a second end of the bolt. The clamping apparatus includes a clamp defining a bolt opening into which the bolt is received and a support structure. The support structure positions the clamp at a first location on the bolt. The first location is a first distance from a top rail surface plane within which a top surface of the rail lies. The support structure is adjustable to position the clamp at a second location on the bolt. The second location is a second distance from the top rail surface plane. The first distance is different than the second distance. The support structure has a support structure thickness corresponding to a third distance that is less than the first distance and less than the second distance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/530,811, filed Nov. 2, 2014, titled “Solar Panel Clamp,”which is a continuation-in-part of both U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/368,651, filed Feb. 8, 2012, titled “Solar Panel Clamp” andInternational Application No. PCT/US2012/024247, filed Feb. 8, 2012,titled “Solar Panel Clamp,” all of which are herein incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to, among other things, systems and/ormethods for clamping photovoltaic (PV) modules to a rail and/or railsystem configured to support the photovoltaic modules (e.g., to form aPV array).

Solar power often refers to the conversion of energy from sunlight toelectricity (e.g., to power an appliance, car, home, business, etc.).Solar power generation has become increasingly popular given a shiftaway from producing electricity via fossil fuels (e.g., coal, oil,natural gas, etc.). Such an increase in popularity may be attributed tonumerous factors. For example, the production of electricity viasunlight is considered to be more environmentally friendly than usingfossil fuels (e.g., few to no pollutants are emitted using solartechnology). Moreover, the conversion efficiency (e.g., amount ofsunlight converted into electricity) has continued to increase while thecost to manufacture photovoltaic modules (e.g., solar panels) hasdecreased, allowing for more widespread applicability (e.g., both interms of geographic location and affordability).

To convert sunlight or other light into electricity, one or morephotovoltaic modules, comprised of a plurality of photovoltaic cells,may be used. Respective photovoltaic cells are configured to convertlight energy (e.g., from the sun) into electricity via the photovoltaiceffect (e.g., where a voltage and/or electric current is created in amaterial based upon exposure to light). Because the power that onemodule can produce is usually insufficient to meet a desired poweroutput (e.g., to power a home and/or business), a plurality ofphotovoltaic modules may be operably coupled together and arranged toform a photovoltaic array. Traditionally, the photovoltaic modules havebeen arranged in a grid of rows or columns. However, in someapplications, they may be arranged in a different pattern.

To secure the photovoltaic modules, a traditional rail and top-downclamping apparatus have been employed. The rails often comprise achannel and the clamping apparatus comprises a t-shaped bolt (e.g., alsoreferred to as a “t-bolt”) that is designed to fit into the channel ofthe rail. In operation, the t-bolt is usually inserted into the channeland turned to a desired orientation relative the channel. A clamp of theclamping apparatus is then attached to the t-bolt and secured via a nutto mitigate movement of the module relative to the rail.

Typically, components of the clamping apparatus (e.g., the t-bolt,clamp, and nut) are shipped individually to the installation site andassembled once the modules have been set in place. That is, the moduleis set in place, the t-bolt is inserted into the channel, the clamp isattached to the bolt, the nut is attached to the bolt, and then the nutis tightened to secure the module (e.g., via the clamp). Given that atypical photovoltaic array comprises at least 12 modules, and may exceed100 modules, and given that a plurality of clamping apparatuses may beused to secure respective modules, the installation process may be laborintensive (e.g., adding to the total cost of the photovoltaic array).Moreover, given that clamping apparatuses are assembled on site, bolts,clamps and/or nuts may be lost, dropped, etc. during the installationprocess, further increasing installation time and/or cost.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key factors oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an example, a clamping apparatus is configured to secure one or morephotovoltaic modules to a rail. The clamping apparatus comprises a boltextending along a bolt axis between a first end of the bolt and a secondend of the bolt. The second end of the bolt is configured to be receivedwithin the rail. The clamping apparatus comprises a clamp defining abolt opening into which the bolt is received. The clamping apparatuscomprises a support structure configured to position the clamp at afirst location on the bolt when the second end of the bolt is receivedwithin the rail and the clamp does not secure the one or morephotovoltaic modules to the rail. The first location is a first distancefrom a top rail surface plane within which a top surface of the raillies where the first distance extends along a first distance axis thatis parallel to the bolt axis and is measured from the top rail surfaceplane to a bottom surface of the clamp. The clamp is disposed to a firstside of the top rail surface plane when the clamp is positioned at thefirst location and the second end of the bolt is disposed to a secondside of the top rail surface plane when the second end of the bolt isreceived within the rail. The support structure is configured toposition the clamp at a second location on the bolt when the second endof the bolt is received within the rail and the clamp does secure theone or more photovoltaic modules to the rail. The second location is asecond distance from the top rail surface plane where the seconddistance extends along a second distance axis that is parallel to thebolt axis and is measured from the top rail surface plane to the bottomsurface of the clamp. The clamp is disposed to the first side of the toprail surface plane when the clamp is positioned at the second location.The first distance is different than the second distance. The supportstructure has a support structure thickness corresponding to a thirddistance measured from a first end of the support structure to a secondend of the support structure. The third distance extends along a supportstructure axis that is parallel to the bolt axis and is less than thefirst distance and less than the second distance.

In another example, a clamping apparatus is configured to secure one ormore photovoltaic modules to a rail. The clamping apparatus comprises abolt extending along a bolt axis between a first end of the bolt and asecond end of the bolt. The second end of the bolt is configured to bereceived within the rail. The clamping apparatus comprises a clampdefining a bolt opening into which the bolt is received. The clampingapparatus comprises a support structure configured to position the clampat a first location on the bolt when the second end of the bolt isreceived within the rail and the clamp does not secure the one or morephotovoltaic modules to the rail. The first location is a first distancefrom a top rail surface plane within which a top surface of the raillies where the first distance extends along a first distance axis thatis parallel to the bolt axis and is measured from the top rail surfaceplane to a bottom surface of the clamp. The clamp is disposed to a firstside of the top rail surface plane when the clamp is positioned at thefirst location and the second end of the bolt is disposed to a secondside of the top rail surface plane when the second end of the bolt isreceived within the rail. The support structure is configured toposition the clamp at a second location on the bolt when the second endof the bolt is received within the rail and the clamp does secure theone or more photovoltaic modules to the rail. The second location is asecond distance from the top rail surface plane where the seconddistance extends along a second distance axis that is parallel to thebolt axis and is measured from the top rail surface plane to the bottomsurface of the clamp. The clamp is disposed to the first side of the toprail surface plane when the clamp is positioned at the second location.The first distance is different than the second distance. The supportstructure comprises a first affixation that affixes the clamp to a nutconfigured to be threaded onto the bolt when the second end of the boltis received within the rail and the clamp does not secure the one ormore photovoltaic modules to the rail. The support structure has asupport structure thickness corresponding to a third distance measuredfrom a first end of the support structure to a second end of the supportstructure. The third distance extends along a support structure axisthat is parallel to the bolt axis and is less than the first distanceand less than the second distance.

In yet another example, a clamping apparatus configured to secure one ormore photovoltaic modules to a rail. The clamping apparatus comprises abolt extending along a bolt axis between a first end of the bolt and asecond end of the bolt. The second end of the bolt is configured to bereceived within the rail. The clamping apparatus comprises a clampdefining a bolt opening into which the bolt is received. The clampingapparatus comprises a support structure configured to position the clampat a first location on the bolt when the second end of the bolt isreceived within the rail and the clamp does not secure the one or morephotovoltaic modules to the rail. The first location is a first distancefrom a top rail surface plane within which a top surface of the raillies where the first distance extends along a first distance axis thatis parallel to the bolt axis and is measured from the top rail surfaceplane to a bottom surface of the clamp. The clamp is disposed to a firstside of the top rail surface plane when the clamp is positioned at thefirst location and the second end of the bolt is disposed to a secondside of the top rail surface plane when the second end of the bolt isreceived within the rail. The support structure is configured toposition the clamp at a second location on the bolt when the second endof the bolt is received within the rail and the clamp does secure theone or more photovoltaic modules to the rail. The second location is asecond distance from the top rail surface plane where the seconddistance extends along a second distance axis that is parallel to thebolt axis and is measured from the top rail surface plane to the bottomsurface of the clamp. The clamp is disposed to the first side of the toprail surface plane when the clamp is positioned at the second location,the first distance different than the second distance. The supportstructure has a support structure thickness corresponding to a thirddistance measured from a first end of the support structure to a secondend of the support structure. The third distance extends along a supportstructure axis that is parallel to the bolt axis and is less than thefirst distance and less than the second distance. The third distance isless than about ½ of the second distance.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the followingdescription and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspectsand implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the variousways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects,advantages, and novel features of the disclosure will become apparentfrom the following detailed description when considered in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings.

FIGURES

The application is illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like referencesgenerally indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a photovoltaic array.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example photovoltaicarray comprising rails to which one or more photovoltaic modules can beattached.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example clamping apparatus.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top-down view of an example bolt of an exampleclamping apparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top-down view of an example clamp of an exampleclamping apparatus.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example photovoltaicarray with a clamping apparatus attached thereto.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example photovoltaicarray with a clamping apparatus being inserted into a channel of a railof the array.

FIG. 8 illustrates a clamping apparatus being rotated to lock theclamping apparatus into a channel of a rail of a photovoltaic array.

FIG. 9 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 10 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example support structure.

FIG. 12A illustrates an example support structure.

FIG. 12B illustrates an example support structure.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example clamping apparatus.

FIG. 14 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 15 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example nut in association with an example clamp.

FIG. 17 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 18 illustrates an end of an example clamping apparatus.

FIG. 19 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example clamping apparatus.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example clamping apparatus.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example clamping apparatus.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example clamping apparatus.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example clamping apparatus.

FIG. 25 illustrates a top-down view of an example clamp of an exampleclamping apparatus.

FIG. 26 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 27 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 28 illustrates a clamping apparatus in association with an examplephotovoltaic module.

FIG. 29 illustrates an underside view of an example clamp of an exampleclamping apparatus.

DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer tolike elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may beevident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, structures anddevices are illustrated in block diagram form in order to facilitatedescribing subject matter. It is to be understood that as used in thepresent disclosure, the term “diameter” can be used to indicate width ordepth dimensions of shapes or cross-sections that are not necessarilyround or cylindrical. For example, a diameter may include a width of asquare, cube, or other non-round structure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example photovoltaic array 100 (e.g., alsoreferred to as a solar panel array, solar array, and/or the like)comprised of a plurality of photovoltaic modules 102 that are arrangedalong and/or attached to one or more rails 104 (e.g., substantiallyoccluded by the overlying modules 102). As illustrated herein, the rails104 extend substantially parallel to the a-axis, although they mayextend substantially parallel to the b-axis. Moreover, as will bedescribed in further detail with respect to FIG. 2 , respective railsfurther comprise a channel that runs along the length of the rails(e.g., in the example embodiment, channels run parallel to the a-axis).

Channels in the rails may be useful for securing the modules 102 to therails 104 via one or more clamping apparatuses 106, 108. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment, the modules 102 are secured to the rails 104via end-clamp apparatuses 106 and mid-clamp apparatuses 108. Generally,the differences between end-clamp apparatuses 106 and mid-clampapparatuses 108 are merely based upon the number of modules the clampingapparatus is intended to secure and/or the location of the clampingapparatus. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, end-clampapparatuses 106 are positioned on an edge of the array 100 and arerespectively configured to secure merely one module 102. Mid-clampapparatuses 108 are positioned between modules 102 of the array 100 andare configured to secure two or more modules 102, for example. As usedherein, the terms clamping apparatus, clamping apparatuses, and/or thelike are intended to be interpreted in a broad sense to comprise bothend-clamp apparatuses 106 and mid-clamp apparatuses 108.

While a specific rail type and/or structure configuration is shown inthe examples described herein, it is to be understood that the clampingapparatus(es) described herein can be employed with alternative railand/or attachments systems to the extent practical. Moreover, the numberof modules comprised in the example array 100, the arrangement of thearray 100, and/or the arrangement of the modules 102 relative to therails 104 are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.Further, while specific reference is made to the applicability of theclamping apparatus for securing photovoltaic modules, it will beappreciated that the clamping apparatus(es) may find utility in otherapplications. Thus, to the extent practical, the instant disclosure,including the scope of the claims, is not intended to be limited to aclamping apparatus for securing photovoltaic modules.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic array 100(e.g., taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 ). As illustrated, a photovoltaicmodule 102 is situated on top of one or more rails 104. The rails 104are configured to accommodate a clamping apparatus (not shown) to securethe module 102 to the rail 104. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, respective rails 104 comprise a channel 206 through which aportion of the clamping apparatus (e.g., a t-shaped or other-shaped headof the clamping apparatus (e.g., or, more particularly, of a boltportion of the clamping apparatus)) may be inserted. However, othermechanisms for securing the clamping apparatus to the rail are alsocontemplated. For example, in another embodiment, the rail comprises anextruded portion to which the clamping apparatus attaches.

It will be appreciated that one or more of the rails 104 may furthercomprise other channels 208, 210 that may be utilized to secure the railto other rails and/or to secure the rail to a supporting structure(e.g., such as a roof or pole to which the photovoltaic array isattached), for example. Moreover, the shape of the rail, number and/orsize of additional channels, etc. may depend upon, among other things,how the rails 104 are coupled together (e.g., if they are coupledtogether), a weight of the modules 102, a structure to which the rails104 attach, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a clamping apparatus 300 (e.g.,106, 108 in FIG. 1 ) that may be configured to secure one or morephotovoltaic modules 102 to a rail(s) 104. It will be appreciated thatFIG. 3 illustrates what is referred to above as a mid-clamp apparatus(e.g., based upon the size and/or shape of the clamp 340), although thefeatures described herein may also be applicable to end-clampapparatuses.

The clamping apparatus 300 comprises a threaded bolt 302, a groundingdevice 312, a support structure 320, a clamp 340, and a nut 360. It willbe appreciated that at least some of these components may be optionaland/or the clamping apparatus 300 may comprise additional components notdescribed herein. For example, in one embodiment, the grounding device312 (e.g., washer) may be optional.

The bolt 302 may comprise at least two ends (e.g., a first end 304 and asecond end 306), where the second end 306 may be defined by a head 308that is configured to be inserted into a channel of a rail, for example.The bolt 302 can extend along a bolt axis 310 between the first end 304of the bolt 302 and the second end 306 of the bolt 302.

Typically, the head 308 has at least one dimension that is greater thana width of the channel, which reduces the possibility of the bolt 302coming out of the channel once the head 308 is inserted into the channeland/or oriented as desired relative to the channel. By way of example,in the illustrated clamping apparatus 300, the bolt 302 comprises aT-shaped portion or T-shaped head 308. As will be further explained,such a bolt 302 is configured to (easily) slip into the channel of therail when it is oriented in a first manner relative to the channel(e.g., when the more narrow dimension of the head 308 is perpendicularto the length of the channel) and to be secured in the channel when itis oriented in a second manner relative to the channel (e.g., when themore narrow dimension of the head 308 is parallel to the length of thechannel). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the bolt 302 may notcomprise a defined head 308. Rather, a nut and/or other component may becoupled to the bolt 302 to substantially form a head that has at leastone dimension that is greater than a width of the channel, for example.

The example clamping apparatus 300 comprises a grounding device 312. Thegrounding device may be selectively coupled to a shaft of the bolt 302and/or may be permanently affixed the bolt 302. For example, in anembodiment, the grounding device 312 may comprise a washer with smoothand/or jagged surfaces. By way of example, the washer may comprises oneor more teeth that are configured to mitigate rotation of the washerrelative to the rail and/or are configured to pierce into the rail(e.g., comprised of an anodized aluminum) to provide a gas tightconnection between the washer and the rail, for example (e.g.,mitigating oxidation). It will be appreciated that by coupling the railto the grounding device 312 as described, the clamping apparatus 300and/or the photovoltaic module to which it is affixed may be ground tothe rail. In this way, a ground wire may not be run to respectiveclamping apparatuses and/or to respective photovoltaic modules, forexample.

In another embodiment, the grounding device 312 may be configured toattach to a ground wire that is coupled to ground wires from otherclamping apparatuses and/or coupled to an earthing electrode (e.g.,metal rod), for example. Such a feature may reduce undesired contactwith a voltage should electrical components of the array fail, reducebuild-up of electricity, and/or provide a channel for conducting highcurrents associated with lightning strikes, for example. As such, thegrounding device 312 can function to electrically ground the bolt 302.

It will be appreciated that the illustrated grounding device 312 (e.g.,which has a shape similar to a washer) is merely one of numerousexamples of grounding devices that may be utilized. In anotherembodiment, the grounding device 312 is a ground wire that is wrappedaround, soldered, and/or otherwise attached to a portion of the clampingapparatus 300, for example. It will be appreciated that in someexamples, the grounding device 312 is optional and may not be provided.

The clamping apparatus 300 further comprises the support structure 320configured to be selectively coupled to the shaft of the bolt 302 and/orpermanently affixed to the bolt 302. It will be appreciated that whilethe support structure is generally illustrated as having a concentricarrangement relative to the bolt 302, the instant disclosure, includedthe scope of the appended claims, is not intended to be so limited. Thatis, unless specified to the contrary, any configuration(s), design(s),etc. are contemplated for the support structure (e.g., that facilitatethe functions provided herein). The support structure 320 is alsoconfigured to position the clamp 340 of the clamping apparatus 300 aspecified distance from the second end 306 (e.g., head 308) of the bolt302 and/or to position the clamp 340 a specified distance from (e.g., atop edge of) the rail once the clamping apparatus 300 is attached to therail, for example.

The support structure 320 may be comprised of a compressible materialand is configured to be compressed once the photovoltaic module ispositioned appropriately relative to the rail to secure the module. Thatis, once the module is in the desired position, an installer, forexample, may tighten the nut 360, causing the support structure 320 tobe compressed and reducing the space between the rail and the clamp 340.Such compressible materials may comprise, but are not limited to, aspring (e.g., such as a rubber spring or metal spring), a gasket, apolystyrene, and/or a compressible metal structure (e.g., such as a softmetal). The support structure 320 defines a second bolt opening 322 intowhich the bolt 302 may be received.

The clamping apparatus 300 also comprises a clamp 340 configured to beselectively coupled to the shaft of the bolt 302 and/or permanentlyaffixed to the bolt 302. The clamp 340 defines a bolt opening 342 intowhich the bolt 302 can be received. The clamp 340 can secure one or morephotovoltaic modules to the rail. For example, the clamp 340 maycomprise one or more edges that are configured to extend over a portionof the module(s). When the nut 360 is selectively coupled to the shaftvia the first end 304 of the bolt 302 and tightened, the one or moreedges extending over the portion of the module may apply pressure to themodule, causing the module to be secured to the rail. In this way, thenut 360 acts to secure the clamp 340 and the support structure 320 tothe bolt 302 and/or to apply pressure to the clamp 340 and/or thesupport structure 320 when tightened, for example.

The clamping apparatus 300 may also comprise other features that promotesafely securing the one or more modules to the rail, for example. By wayof example, in an embodiment, the clamp 340 comprises one or more tabs344 that are configured to contact a side-edge of one or more modules(e.g., as opposed to a top edge facing the sunlight) and/or to bepartially inserted between two or more modules. Such tabs 344 areconfigured to reduce and/or mitigate rotation of the clamp relative tothe module while the nut 360 is being tightened, for example.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view (e.g., taken along line 4-4 inFIG. 3 ) of the bolt 302. FIG. 5 illustrates a top-down view of theclamp 340. In some examples, the shaft of the bolt 302 may comprise anon-cylindrical portion (e.g., such as a flat/shaved edge) and the clamp340 may comprise a non-cylindrical bolt opening 342 (e.g., of a similarshape to the non-cylindrical portion of the shaft) into which thenon-cylindrical portion of the shaft is inserted. Such non-cylindricalfeatures of the bolt 302 and the clamp 340 and/or the tabs 344 of theclamp may mitigate rotation of the bolt 302, and the clamping apparatus300 generally, relative to the rail once the bolt is inserted into thechannel and turned appropriately (e.g., mitigating rotation of the bolt302 as the nut 360 is being tightened). That is, stated differently, theone or more tabs 344, the non-cylindrically shaped bolt opening 342, andthe non-cylindrically shaped portion of the bolt 302 may facilitatealignment of the second end 306 of the bolt 302 (e.g., the head 308)within a channel of the rail, such that rotation of the bolt 302relative to the channel is mitigated as the one or more modules arebeing secured (e.g., as the nut 360 is being tightened).

It will be appreciated that these and other features may be described inmore detail in U.S. Patent Publication 2011/0299957 and assigned toPreformed Line Products Company, at least some of which may beincorporated herein by reference. For example, another feature of thebolt 302 may be that one or more edges of the head 308 of the bolt 302are rounded while other edges are substantially square to control howthe bolt 302 can be rotated within the channel of the rail. For example,in one embodiment, the head 308 comprises one round corner and threesquare corners such that the bolt can be rotated in merely one directionrelative to the rail when the t-shaped head of the bolt is inserted intoa channel of the rail (e.g., because the square corners limit rotationin other directions). Moreover, once turned to a specified position(e.g., turned 90 degrees relative to an initial position when thebolt/clamping apparatus is inserted into the channel (e.g., such thatthe head is substantially perpendicular to the channel as describedfurther in FIGS. 7-8 ), the head 308 with merely one round corner maymitigate further rotation of the bolt 302 (e.g., to mitigate rotatingthe bolt further such that the head 308 becomes parallel with thechannel).

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view (e.g., taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 1 ) illustrating a clamping apparatus 300 securing a photovoltaicmodule 102 to a rail 104 via a channel 206. The clamping apparatus 300comprises a bolt 302 comprising a head 308 that is inserted into thechannel 206 of the rail 104. The example clamping apparatus 300 alsocomprises a grounding device 312, support structure 320, clamp 340including tabs 344 that abut the side of the module 102, and a nut 360.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate how a preassembled clamping apparatus 300comprising a bolt 302 having a t-shaped head 308 may be selectivelycoupled to a rail 104. More particularly, FIG. 7 illustrates a portionof the clamping apparatus 300 being inserted into a channel 206 of therail 104. The t-shaped head 308 is turned such that a more narrowdimension 710 of the head 308 is perpendicular the length of the channel206 (e.g., going into and out of the page), allowing the t-shaped head308 to be lowered into the channel 206.

Once the t-shaped head 308 is positioned in the channel 206, the bolt302 (e.g., and/or the entire clamping apparatus 300) may be rotatedclockwise and/or counter-clockwise (e.g., 90 degrees) as represented byarrow 712 until the narrow dimension of the head 308 is parallel orsubstantially parallel to the length of the channel 206 (e.g., such thatthe narrow dimension of the head 308 is going into and/or out of thepage) as illustrated in FIG. 8 . It will be appreciated that thischanged orientation of the head 308 relative to the channel 206 canreduce (e.g., mitigate) the possibility of the clamping apparatus 300becoming unsecured from the rail 104.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example photovoltaic module 102 positionedadjacent the clamping apparatus 300. In an example, the rail 104comprises a top surface 900. The top surface 900 can support and/or bepositioned adjacent to a bottom surface of the photovoltaic module 102.In some examples, the top surface 900 of the rail 104 is substantiallyflat/planar, while in other examples, the top surface 900 has one ormore bends, curves, undulations, protrusions, recesses, channels, etc.In an example, the top surface 900 lies within a top rail surface plane902. The top rail surface plane 902 defines a first side 904 and asecond side 906. The clamp 340 and the photovoltaic module 102 aredisposed on the first side 904 of the top rail surface plane 902. Thehead 308 and the channel 206 are disposed on the second side 906 of thetop rail surface plane 902.

The support structure 320 is disposed between the clamp 340 on a firstside 920 of the support structure 320 and the top rail surface plane 902on a second side 922 of the support structure 320. In the illustratedexample, the first side 920 of the support structure 320 may be incontact with and/or adjacent to the clamp 340. In this example, thesecond side 922 of the support structure 320 may be spaced a distanceapart from the top surface 900 of the rail 104. In such an example, thesecond side 922 of the support structure 320 may not contact and/orengage the rail 104, but, rather, may be supported the distance apartfrom the rail 104 by the bolt 302 (e.g., by receiving the bolt 302therethrough).

The support structure 320 can position the clamp 340 at a first location930 on the bolt 302 when the second end 306 of the bolt 302 is receivedwithin the rail 104 and the clamp 340 does not secure the one or morephotovoltaic modules 102 to the rail. Indeed, in this example, the clamp340 may be initially spaced a distance apart (e.g., above) thephotovoltaic module 102. As such, when the support structure 320positions the clamp at the first location 930, the photovoltaic module102 can be moved with respect to the clamp 340, such that thephotovoltaic module 102 can be oriented/positioned as desired. It willbe appreciated that the first location 930 illustrated in FIG. 9 is notintended to be limiting. Rather, in other examples, the first location930 can be located higher or lower along the bolt 302 than asillustrated. In these examples, the first location 930 represents aposition in which the clamp 340 may not interfere with, contact, and/orsecure the photovoltaic module 102, such that the photovoltaic module102 can be oriented/positioned as desired.

In the illustrated example, the first location 930 may be located afirst distance 932 from the top rail surface plane 902 within which thetop surface 900 of the rail 104 lies. In this example, the firstdistance 932 extends along a first distance axis 934 that issubstantially parallel to the bolt axis 310. The first distance 932 maybe measured from the top rail surface plane 902 to a bottom surface 936of the clamp 340. In the illustrated example, the clamp 340 is disposedon the first side 920 of the top rail surface plane 902 when the clamp340 is positioned at the first location 930. The second end 306 of thebolt 302 is disposed to the second side 922 of the top rail surfaceplane 902 when the second end 306 of the bolt 302 is received within therail 104.

Turning to FIG. 10 , the support structure 320 can position the clamp340 at a second location 950 on the bolt 302 when the second end 306 ofthe bolt 302 is received within the rail 104 and the clamp 340 doessecure the one or more photovoltaic modules 102 to the rail. In thisexample, the nut 360 can be tightened onto the bolt 302, thus causingthe nut 360 to move in a downward direction with respect to the bolt 302towards the second end 306 of the bolt 302 and the head 308. As the nut360 is tightened, the clamp 340 (and, thus, the support structure 320)is moved from the first location 930 (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 9 ) onthe bolt 302 downwardly towards the second location 950 on the bolt 302.The nut 360 can be tightened at least until the clamp 340contacts/engages the photovoltaic module 102. Once the clamp 340contacts/engages the photovoltaic module 102, the photovoltaic module102 is secured and is limited from being inadvertently removed from theclamping apparatus 300 and the rail 104.

In the illustrated example, the second location 950 may be located asecond distance 952 from the top rail surface plane 902 within which thetop surface 900 of the rail 104 lies. In this example, the seconddistance 952 extends along a second distance axis 954 that issubstantially parallel to the bolt axis 310. The second distance 952 maybe measured from the top rail surface plane 902 to the bottom surface936 of the clamp 340. In such an example, the clamp 340 is disposed tothe first side 920 of the top rail surface plane 902 when the clamp 340is positioned at the second location 950, the first distance 932 isdifferent than the second distance 952. In the illustrated examples, thefirst distance 932 is greater than the second distance 952.

The support structure 320 has a support structure thickness 960corresponding to a third distance 962. The third distance 962 ismeasured axially from a first end 964 (e.g., top end) of the supportstructure to a second end 966 (e.g., bottom end) of the supportstructure 320. In an example, the third distance 962 extends along asupport structure axis 968 that is substantially parallel to the boltaxis 310. The third distance 962 may be less than the first distance 932and less than the second distance 952. In an example, the third distance962 may be less than about one half (½) of the second distance 952. Inanother example, the third distance 962 may be less than about onequarter (¼) of the second distance 952.

Having the third distance 962 (e.g., corresponding to an axial length ofthe support structure 320) be less than the second distance 952 isbeneficial in a number of ways. First, the support structure 320 has arelatively short axial length (e.g., between the first end 964 and thesecond end 966), thus reducing the cost of the support structure 320(e.g., less material). Second, the support structure 320 can bepositioned at a relatively large number of locations along the bolt 302,such that the clamp 340 can be supported (e.g., by the support structure320) at a wide range of locations along the bolt 302.

In the illustrated example, the second end 966 of the support structure320 is separated a fourth distance 980 from the grounding device 312.The support structure thickness 960 corresponding to the third distance962 is less than the fourth distance 980. As such, a gap, space, etc.exists between the second end 966 of the support structure 320 and thegrounding device 312 and the second end 306 of the bolt 302.

Turning to FIGS. 11, 12A, and 12B, a top down view of the supportstructure 320 and the bolt 302 is illustrated. In an example, thesupport structure 320 comprises an expandable/compressible material,such as a gasket, for example. The support structure 320 defines thesecond bolt opening 322 into which the bolt 302 is received. Due tobeing comprised of an expandable/compressible material, the supportstructure 320, and, thus, the second bolt opening 322, is expandablebetween an unexpanded stated (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 11 ) and anexpanded state (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 12A).

As illustrated in FIG. 11 , the second bolt opening 322 defines a firstcross-sectional size 1100 in the unexpanded state. In this example, thebolt 302 defines a third cross-sectional size 1104. In the unexpandedstate, the second bolt opening 322, defining the first cross-sectionalsize 1100, is smaller than the bolt 302. That is, the firstcross-sectional size 1100 of the second bolt opening 322 in theunexpanded state is less than the third cross-sectional size 1104 of thebolt 302. As such, when the support structure 320 is in the unexpandedstate, the bolt 302 may not fit into the second bolt opening 322. FIG.11 represents a first cross-sectional profile of the second bolt opening322, such as where the second bolt opening 322 is in the unexpandedstate. The first cross-sectional profile has a first diameter,represented by dimension 1100.

Turning to FIG. 12A, the support structure 320 can be expanded 1106 fromthe unexpanded state (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 11 ) to an expandedstate (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 12A). The expansion 1106 of the supportstructure 320 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 11 (e.g., witharrowheads), as the expansion 1106 can occur in any number of ways. Forexample, the support structure 320 can be expanded 1106 by a pullingforce, such as by a user/operator pulling the support structure 320radially outwardly.

After the expansion 1106, the second bolt opening 322 of the supportstructure 320 defines a second cross-sectional size 1110 in the expandedstate. In this example, the first cross-sectional size 110 of thesupport structure 320 in the unexpanded state is less than the secondcross-sectional size 1110 of the support structure 320 in the expandedstate. In an example, the second cross-sectional size 1110 islarger/greater than the third cross-sectional size 1104 of the bolt 302.The third cross-sectional size 1104 can also be referred to as a thirddiameter, representing the outside diameter 1104 of the shaft of thebolt 302. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, the bolt 302 can fitwithin and be received within the second bolt opening 322 when thesecond bolt opening 322 of the support structure 320 is in the expandedstate. As such, the third cross-sectional size 1104 of the bolt 302 islarger than the first cross-sectional size 1100 and less than the secondcross-sectional size 1110.

The support structure 320 can therefore be compressed/expanded betweenthe unexpanded state (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 11 ) and the expandedstate (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 12A). When the support structure 320 isexpended to the expanded state, the second bolt opening 322 is sized toreceive the bolt 302. As such, the bolt 302 can be received within andpassed through the second bolt opening 322, such that the supportstructure 320 can be moved/adjusted along the bolt 302.

Turning to FIG. 12B, when the pulling/expanding force (e.g., expansion1106) is no longer provided to the support structure 320, the supportstructure 320 can revert back towards the unexpanded state. However,after the bolt 302 is received through the second bolt opening 322, thesupport structure 320 can radially compress onto the bolt 302 (e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, 12B, 26, 27, and 28 ). When the supportstructure 320 has compressed onto the bolt 302, the support structure320 can radially surround and compress onto the bolt 302, such that thesupport structure 320 contacts/engages and “grips” the bolt 302. FIG.12B represents a second cross-sectional profile of the second boltopening 322, such as where the second bolt opening 322 is in theexpanded state. The second cross-sectional profile represents the secondbolt opening 322 when the bolt 302 is received within the second boltopening 322. The second cross-sectional profile has a second diameter,represented by dimension 1112. In some examples, the first diameter 1100is less than the second diameter 1112. In some examples, the thirddiameter 1104 is larger than the first diameter 1100 and less than thesecond diameter 1112. Because in the second cross-sectional profile thesupport structure 320 is compressed onto the outside diameter of thebolt 302, it can also be said that the second diameter 1112 can be equalto the third diameter 1104.

When the support structure 320 radially compresses onto the bolt (e.g.,contacts/engages, grips, etc.), the support structure 320 is limitedfrom inadvertently moving (e.g., axially up/down, radially, etc.) withrespect to the bolt 302. Rather, for the support structure 320 to move(e.g., axially up/down, radially, etc.) with respect to the bolt 302, asufficient force can be applied, with the force being greater than thecompressive force exerted by the support structure 320 onto the bolt302. In an example, this force could be applied by pushing/pulling thesupport structure 320 axially up/down the bolt 302. In another example,this force could by applied by pushing/pulling the clamp 340 axiallyup/down the bolt 302 such that the clamp 340 acts upon the supportstructure 320 and causes the support structure 320 to move axiallyup/down the bolt 302. In yet another example, this force could beapplied by rotating the nut 360 with respect to the bolt 302, causingthe nut 360 to drive the clamp 340 axially downwardly, which thus causesthe support structure 320 to move axially up/down the bolt 302.Accordingly, due to the expansion/contraction of the support structure320, the support structure 320 can maintain a relative position withrespect to the bolt 302 at least until it is desired to move the supportstructure 320 (e.g., as illustrated from FIG. 9 to FIG. 10 , and/or asillustrated from FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 , and/or as illustrated from FIG. 17to FIG. 19 ).

Turning to FIG. 13 , a second example clamping apparatus 1300 isillustrated. In this example, the second clamping apparatus 1300comprises a second example support structure 1302. The support structure1302 comprises a first affixation 1304 that can affix the clamp 340 tothe nut 360 when the second end 306 of the bolt 302 is received withinthe rail 104 and the clamp 340 does not secure the one or morephotovoltaic modules 102 to the rail 104. The first affixation 1304comprises any number of materials. In some examples, the firstaffixation 1304 comprises an adhesive (e.g., glue, paste, cement, tape,etc.), a temporary weld (e.g., tack weld, etc.), a magnet, or othertemporary fixation structure.

In this example, the first affixation 1304 is illustrated as beingdisposed on a top surface 1306 of the clamp 340 around the bolt opening342. Such a position is not intended to be limiting, however. Rather, inother examples, the first affixation 1304 could be disposed on the nut360 (e.g., bottom surface of the nut 360) instead of the top surface1306 of the clamp 340. In still other examples, the first affixation1304 could be disposed on both of the top surface 1306 of the clamp 340and the nut 360. In these examples, the first affixation 1304 may bedisposed between the nut 360 and the clamp 340, such that the firstaffixation 1304 can affix the clamp 340 to the nut 360.

Turning to FIG. 14 , an example operation of the second clampingapparatus 1300 is illustrated. In this example, the support structure1302 (e.g., the first affixation 1304) can initially position the clamp340 at the first location 930 on the bolt 302. Due to the firstaffixation 1304 being positioned between and in contact with the clamp340 and the nut 360, the clamp 340 and the nut 360 are initiallytemporarily fixed to each other. With the clamp 340 fixed to the nut360, the clamp 340 is limited from moving towards the second end 306 ofthe bolt 302 when the nut 360 does not move towards the second end 306.That is, when the clamp 340 and the nut 360 are initially fixed to eachother with the first affixation 1304, the clamp 340 does not moveindependently of the nut 360, such that the clamp 340 remains at thefirst location 930.

Turning to FIG. 15 , the nut 360 can be rotated, thus causing the clamp340 and the nut 360 to detach from each other. For example, asillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the bolt opening 342 has a generallymatching shape as the bolt 302. As such, the clamp 340 is limited fromrotating with respect to the bolt 302. Instead, movement of the clamp340 with respect to the bolt 302 is substantially limited to the axial(e.g., up and down) direction, with limited to no rotational movement ofthe clamp 340 with respect to the bolt 302. As such, when the nut 360engages the threads of the bolt 302, the nut 360 can be rotated withrespect to the bolt 302. Due to the nut 360 and the clamp 340 beingfixed with the first affixation 1304, rotation of the nut 360 can causethe first affixation 1304 to fracture/break. More particularly, sincethe clamp 340 is limited from rotating with respect to the bolt 302,when the nut 360 is rotated with respect to the bolt 302, the attachmentbetween the nut 360 and the clamp 340 (e.g., the first affixation 1304)is broken, such that the nut 360 is no longer attached/affixed to theclamp 340. Accordingly, the nut 360 can threadingly engage the bolt 302by being rotated such that the nut 360 moves axially downwardly withrespect to the bolt 302 towards the second end 306 of the bolt 302. Theclamp 340, now no longer affixed to the nut 360, can move downwardly(while not rotating) with respect to the bolt 302 towards the second end306.

The nut 360 can continue to be rotated at least until the clamp 340 isat the second location 950 on the bolt 302 when the second end 306 ofthe bolt 302 is received within the rail 104 and the clamp 340 doessecure the one or more photovoltaic modules 102 to the rail. The nut 360can be tightened onto the bolt 302, thus causing the clamp 340 to movefrom the first location 930 (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 14 ) downwardlytowards the second location 950 on the bolt 302. The nut 360 can betightened at least until the clamp 340 contacts/engages the photovoltaicmodule 102. Once the clamp 340 contacts/engages the photovoltaic module102, the photovoltaic module 102 is secured and is limited from beinginadvertently removed from the clamping apparatus 300 and the rail 104.

Turning to FIG. 16 , a second example nut 1600 is illustrated. The nut1600 can be affixed to the clamp 340 with the first affixation 1304. Inaddition to the first affixation 1304, the support structure 1302comprises a second affixation 1602 that affixes the nut 1600 to alocation on the bolt 302 to position the clamp 340 at the first location930. The second affixation 1602 comprises a wall, cover, surface,ceiling, adhesive (e.g., glue, tape, etc.), or any similar structurethat covers an opening in the nut 1600 through which the bolt 302 isreceived and, at least temporarily, restricts passage of the bolt 302through the nut 1600 at least until a sufficient force between the bolt302 and the nut 1600 causes rupture of the second affixation 1602.

Turning to FIGS. 17 and 18 , a third clamping apparatus 1700 isillustrated. The third clamping apparatus 1700 comprises the nut 1600affixed to the clamp 340. In an example, when the nut 1600 is receivedonto the bolt 302, the first end 304 of the bolt 302 contacts/abuts thesecond affixation 1602. The second affixation 1602 comprises a feature(e.g., wall, cover, surface, ceiling, adhesive, glue, tape, etc.) that,when in a first state (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 17 ), restricts thenut 1600 from being threaded onto the bolt 302 past a first threadeddistance 1800 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 18 ). The first threadeddistance 1800 extends along a first threaded distance axis 1802 that issubstantially parallel to the bolt axis 310 and is measured from asurface 1804 (e.g., a bottom surface) of the nut 1600 to the first end304 of the bolt 302. In such an example, the nut 1600 is limited frombeing further rotated onto the bolt 302 such that the nut 1600 islimited from moving downwardly. As such, in this first state, thesupport structure 1302 can position the clamp 340 at the first location930 on the bolt 302.

Turning to FIG. 19 , in a second state, the second affixation 1602 doesnot restrict the nut 1600 from being threaded onto the bolt 302 past thefirst threaded distance 1800. In this example, the nut 1600 can berotated from the first state (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 17 ) to thesecond state. Rotation of the nut 1600 causes a force to be applied ontothe second affixation 1602 by the first end 304 of the bolt 302. Inparticular, the nut 1600 is rotated with a sufficient amount ofrotational force to cause the nut 1600 to move downwardly along the bolt302. As the nut 1600 moves downwardly, the first end 304 can pushthrough the second affixation 1602, causing the second affixation 1602to rupture 1900.

Once the second affixation 1602 is ruptured, the nut 1600 can continueto be rotated at least until the clamp 340 is at the second location 950on the bolt 302 when the second end 306 of the bolt 302 is receivedwithin the rail 104 and the clamp 340 does secure the one or morephotovoltaic modules 102 to the rail. The nut 1600 can be tightened ontothe bolt 302, thus causing the clamp 340 to move from the first location930 (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 17 ) downwardly towards the secondlocation 950 on the bolt 302. The nut 1600 can be tightened at leastuntil the clamp 340 contacts/engages the photovoltaic module 102. Oncethe clamp 340 contacts/engages the photovoltaic module 102, thephotovoltaic module 102 is secured and is limited from beinginadvertently removed from the clamping apparatus 300 and the rail 104.

Turning to FIG. 20 , another example of the clamping apparatus 300 isillustrated. The clamping apparatus 300 can include the bolt 302, thegrounding device 312, the clamp 340, and the nut 360. In this example,the clamping apparatus 300 includes a support structure 2000. Incontrast to the previous examples in which a support structure wasdisposed below the clamp 340 (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 )or above the clamp 340 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 13 ), in thisexample, the support structure 2000 can be disposed at least partiallywithin the clamp 340.

The support structure 2000 can be positioned within the bolt opening 342of the clamp 340. The support structure 2000 has a cross-sectional sizethat is less than a cross-sectional size of the bolt opening 342, suchthat the support structure 2000 is received within the bolt opening 342.In the example of FIG. 20 , the support structure 2000 is positionedwithin the bolt opening 342 of clamp 340 prior to the support structure2000 and/or the clamp 340 being attached to the bolt 302. In otherexamples, the support structure 2000 can first be attached to the bolt302, such as by receiving the bolt 302 through a second bolt opening2002. Once the support structure 2000 is attached to the bolt 302, theclamp 340 can then be inserted over and/or surrounding the supportstructure 2000. In operation, the clamp 340 can be supported at alocation (e.g., the first location 930, the second location 950, etc.)axially along the bolt 302 due to the support structure 2000 beingdisposed radially between the bolt 302 and the clamp 340.

Turning to FIG. 21 , a top down view of an example of the supportstructure 2000 is illustrated. In this example, the support structure2000 defines the second bolt opening 2002. In an example, the supportstructure 2000 has a cross-sectional shape that substantially matches across-sectional shape of the bolt 302 and/or a cross-sectional shape ofthe bolt opening 342 of the clamp 340. For example, the supportstructure 2000 comprises a non-linear portion 2100 and a linear portion2102. In this example, the non-linear portion 2100 defines a rounded,circular shape, while the linear portion 2102 defines a straight side ofthe support structure 2000. The support structure 2000 is thereforehollow and comprises a wall that is shaped to have the non-linearportion 2100 and the linear portion 2102. The support structure 2000comprises any number of materials, some of which may include thematerials of the support structure 320. For example, the supportstructure 2000 comprises elastomeric materials, neoprene materials, orthe like. In such an example, the support structure 2000 has at leastsome degree of compressibility/flexibility, such that the supportstructure 2000 can be deformed/compressed/expanded/etc. in response toone or more forces.

Turning to FIG. 23 , a top down view of the support structure 2000attached to the bolt 302 and received within the bolt opening 342 of theclamp 340 is illustrated. In this example, the support structure 2000can support the clamp 340 at a location (e.g., the first location 930,the second location 950, etc.) along the bolt 302. The support structure2000 can receive the bolt 302 within the second bolt opening 2002. Withthe support structure 2000 received onto the bolt 302, the clamp 340 canbe inserted onto the support structure 2000. For example, the boltopening 342 of the clamp 340 can be moved so as to receive the supportstructure 2000 therein. In such an example, the non-linear portion 2100of the support structure 2000 can be aligned with non-linear portions ofthe bolt opening 342 and the bolt 302. Similarly, the linear portions2102 of the support structure 2000 can be aligned with linear portionsof the bolt opening 342 and the bolt 302.

The support structure 2000 can therefore be positioned between the clamp340 and the bolt 302. In this example, the support structure 2000 isradially received between the clamp 340 and the bolt 302, with thesupport structure 2000 radially surrounding the bolt 302, while theclamp 340 radially surrounds the support structure 2000. That is, anouter radial side of the support structure 2000 contacts/engages theclamp 340 while an inner radial side of the support structure 2000contacts/engages the bolt 302. The support structure 2000 can thereforecontact/engage both the clamp 340 and the bolt 302. Thiscontact/engagement between the support structure 2000 and the clamp 340can support the clamp 340 at the desired location, with the clamp 340being limited from moving axially up/down. Further, due to thesubstantially matching shape of the bolt opening 342, the supportstructure 2000 and the bolt 302, the clamp 340 (and, thus, the supportstructure 2000) can be rotatably attached (e.g., see arrow 712) to thebolt 302 in a similar manner as described in FIGS. 7 and 8 .

FIG. 23 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the support structure2000, the clamp 340, and the bolt 302 taken along lines 23-23 in FIG. 22. As illustrated, the support structure can support the clamp 340 at alocation along the bolt 302. The support structure 2000 may have asupport structure thickness 2300 that corresponds to a third distance2302 measured from a first end 2304 of the support structure 2000 to asecond end 2306 of the support structure 2000. In an example, the thirddistance 2302 extends along a support structure axis 2308 that issubstantially parallel to the bolt axis 310 and is less than the firstdistance 932 and the second distance 952. In this example, the thirddistance 2302 (e.g., the support structure thickness 2300) of thesupport structure 2000 is substantially equal to a clamp thickness ofthe clamp 340. That is, the first end 2304 of the support structure 2000is substantially planar with respect to a top surface of the clamp 340.The second end 2306 of the support structure 2000 is substantiallyplanar with respect to a bottom surface of the clamp 340. As such, thesupport structure 2000 is substantially limited from contacting the nut360 (e.g., at the first end 2304 of the support structure 2000) and/orthe photovoltaic module 102 (e.g., at the second end 2306 of the supportstructure 2000).

In operation, the support structure 2000 can support the clamp 340 at alocation along the bolt 302. In this example, the support structure 2000and the clamp 340 are support at a same axial location along the bolt302. When a user/operator desires to move the clamp 340, such as to movethe clamp 340 into engagement with the photovoltaic module 102, theuser/operator can tighten the nut 360. Tightening of the nut 360 cancause the clamp 340 and the support structure 2000 to move along amovement direction 2310 downwardly towards the photovoltaic module 102.In such an example, the force applied by the nut 360 is at least enoughto overcome a compressive force exerted by the support structure 2000onto the bolt 302, such that tightening of the nut 360 onto the bolt 302can cause the support structure 2000 and the clamp 340 to move in themovement direction 2310 (e.g., downwardly).

FIG. 24 illustrates an exploded view of a clamping apparatus 2400 (e.g.,106, 108 in FIG. 1 ) that may be configured to secure one or morephotovoltaic modules 102 to a rail(s) 104. It will be appreciated thatFIG. 24 illustrates what is referred to above as a mid-clamp apparatus(e.g., based upon the size and/or shape of the clamp 2440), although thefeatures described herein may also be applicable to end-clampapparatuses.

The clamping apparatus 2400 comprises a threaded bolt 2402, a supportstructure 2420, a clamp 2440, and a nut 2460. It will be appreciatedthat at least some of these components may be optional and/or theclamping apparatus 2400 may comprise additional components not describedherein.

The bolt 2402 may comprise at least two ends (e.g., a first end 2404 anda second end 2406), where the second end 2406 may be defined by a head2408 (shown in FIG. 24 ) that is configured to be inserted into achannel of the rail 104, for example. The bolt 2402 can extend along abolt axis 2410 between the first end 2404 of the bolt 2402 and thesecond end 2406 of the bolt 2402.

Typically, the head 2408 has at least one dimension that is greater thana width of the channel, which reduces the possibility of the bolt 2402coming out of the channel once the head 2408 is inserted into thechannel and/or oriented as desired relative to the channel. By way ofexample, in the illustrated clamping apparatus 2400, the bolt 2402comprises a T-shaped portion or T-shaped head 2408. As was explained inregard to previous examples, such a bolt 2402 is configured to (easily)slip into the channel of the rail when it is oriented in a first mannerrelative to the channel (e.g., when the more narrow dimension of thehead 2408 is perpendicular to the length of the channel) and to besecured in the channel when it is oriented in a second manner relativeto the channel (e.g., when the more narrow dimension of the head 2408 isparallel to the length of the channel). Alternatively, in some examples,the bolt 2402 may not comprise a defined head 2408. Rather, a nut and/orother component may be coupled to the bolt 2402 to substantially form ahead that has at least one dimension that is greater than a width of thechannel, for example.

The clamping apparatus 2400 further comprises the support structure 2420configured to be selectively coupled to the shaft of the bolt 2402and/or permanently affixed to the bolt 2402. It will be appreciated thatwhile the support structure is generally illustrated as having aconcentric arrangement relative to the bolt 2402, the instantdisclosure, included the scope of the appended claims, is not intendedto be so limited. That is, unless specified to the contrary, anyconfiguration(s), design(s), etc. are contemplated for the supportstructure (e.g., that facilitate the functions provided herein). Thesupport structure 2420 is also configured to position the clamp 2440 ofthe clamping apparatus 2400 a specified distance from the second end2406 (e.g., head 2408) of the bolt 2402 and/or to position the clamp2440 a specified distance from (e.g., a top edge of) the rail once theclamping apparatus 2400 is attached to the rail, for example.

The support structure 2420 may be comprised of a compressible materialand in some examples the support structure 2420 is configured to becompressed once the photovoltaic module is positioned appropriatelyrelative to the rail to secure the module. That is, once the module isin the desired position, an installer, for example, may tighten the nut2460, causing the support structure 2420 to be compressed and reducingthe space between the rail and the clamp 2440. Such compressiblematerials may comprise, but are not limited to, a spring (e.g., such asa rubber spring or metal spring), a gasket, a polystyrene, and/or acompressible metal structure (e.g., such as a soft metal). The supportstructure 2420 defines a second bolt opening 2422 into which the bolt2402 may be received. As shown in FIG. 24 , the second bolt opening 2422can be defined by a sidewall 2424. In some examples, the sidewall 2424is non-threaded such that the second bolt opening 2422 is non-threaded.

In some examples, the support structure 2420 is not compressed when aninstaller tightens the nut 2460, and instead, a force applied to thesupport structure 2420 by the clamp 2440 moves the support structure2420 downward on the shaft of the bolt 2402. As such, as the installertightens the nut 2460, the nut 2460 moves down the shaft of the bolt2402 to urge the clamp 2440 down the shaft which applies a downwardforce on the support structure 2420 moving the support structure 2420downward thus reducing the space between the rail and the clamp 2440.

The clamping apparatus 2400 also comprises the clamp 2440 configured tobe selectively coupled to the shaft of the bolt 2402 and/or permanentlyaffixed to the bolt 2402. The clamp 2440 defines a bolt opening 2442into which the bolt 2402 can be received. The clamp 2440 can secure oneor more photovoltaic modules 102 to the rail 104. For example, the clamp2440 may comprise one or more edges 2462 that are configured to extendover a portion of the photovoltaic module(s) 102. When the nut 2460 isselectively coupled to the shaft via the first end 2404 of the bolt 2402and tightened, the one or more edges 2462 extending over the portion ofthe photovoltaic module 102 may apply pressure to the photovoltaicmodule 102, causing the photovoltaic module 102 to be secured to therail 104. In this way, the nut 2460 acts to secure the clamp 2440 andthe support structure 2420 to the bolt 2402 and/or to apply pressure tothe clamp 2440 and/or the support structure 2420 when tightened, forexample.

The clamping apparatus 2400 may also comprise other features thatpromote securing the one or more photovoltaic modules 102 to the rail104. In some examples, the clamp 2440 comprises one or more tabs 2444extending from an outer side-wall 2464 of the clamp 2440 that areconfigured to contact a side-edge 2466 of one or more photovoltaicmodules 102 (e.g., as opposed to a top edge facing the sunlight) and/orto be partially inserted between two or more photovoltaic modules 102.Such tabs 2444 are configured to reduce and/or mitigate rotation of theclamp 2440 relative to the photovoltaic module 102 while the nut 2460 isbeing tightened, for example.

As shown in FIG. 24 , the support structure 2420 has an outer diameter2450, and the outer diameter 2450 is less than a width 2452 of the tab2444 extending from the second outer sidewall 2504 when the bolt 2402 isreceived within the support structure 2420. As such, the tabs 2444 areconfigured to contact a side-edge 2466 of the one or more photovoltaicmodules 102. In this way, the tabs 2444 set the separation distance 2658between the photovoltaic modules 102 as will be further described belowin reference to FIGS. 26 and 27 .

FIG. 25 illustrates a top-down view of the clamp 2440. In some examples,the shaft of the bolt 2402 may comprise a non-cylindrical portion (e.g.,such as a flat/shaved edge) and the clamp 2440 may define anon-cylindrical bolt opening 2442 (e.g., of a similar shape to thenon-cylindrical portion of the shaft) into which the non-cylindricalportion of the shaft is inserted. Such non-cylindrical features of thebolt 2402 and the clamp 2440 and/or the tabs 2444 of the clamp maymitigate rotation of the bolt 2402, and the clamping apparatus 2400generally, relative to the rail 104 once the bolt 2402 is inserted intothe channel and turned appropriately (e.g., mitigating rotation of thebolt 2402 as the nut 2460 is being tightened). That is, stateddifferently, the one or more tabs 2444, the non-cylindrically shapedbolt opening 2442, and the non-cylindrically shaped portion of the bolt2402 may facilitate alignment of the second end 2406 of the bolt 2402(e.g., the head 2408) within a channel of the rail 104, such thatrotation of the bolt 2402 relative to the channel is mitigated as theone or more photovoltaic modules 102 are being secured (e.g., as the nut2460 is being tightened). It is to be appreciated that thenon-cylindrical portion (e.g., a flat/shaved edge) in some examplesfaces a side-edge of the one or more photovoltaic modules 102 and doesnot face the gap (e.g., a separation distance) between the one or moremodules 102.

In some examples, an inner sidewall 2500 of the clamp 2440 isnon-cylindrical to define a non-cylindrical bolt opening 2442 aspreviously described. The inner sidewall 2500 is at least one ofparallel to a first outer sidewall 2502 of the clamp 2440 from which thetab 2444 does not extend or perpendicular to a second outer sidewall2504 of the clamp 2440 from which the tab 2444 extends. As shown, theinner sidewall 2500 is oriented to face (e.g., oriented parallel to) aside-edge of the photovoltaic module 102. The first outer sidewall 2502can be the same as the edge 2462 and the second outer sidewall 2504 canbe the same as the outer side-wall 2464.

As shown in FIG. 24 , the support structure 2420 has an outer diameter2450, and the outer diameter 2450 is less than a width 2452 of the tab2444 extending from the second outer sidewall 2504 when the bolt 2402 isreceived within the support structure 2420. As such, the tabs 2444 areconfigured to contact a side-edge 2466 of the one or more photovoltaicmodules 102. In this way, the tabs 2444 set the separation distance 2658between the photovoltaic modules 102 as will be further described belowin reference to FIGS. 26 and 27 .

FIG. 26 illustrates a cross-sectional view (e.g., taken along line 26-26in FIG. 1 ) of an example photovoltaic module 102 positioned adjacentthe clamping apparatus 2400. In an example, the rail 104 comprises a topsurface 2600. The top surface 2600 can support and/or be positionedadjacent to a bottom surface of the photovoltaic module 102. In someexamples, the top surface 2600 of the rail 104 is substantiallyflat/planar, while in other examples, the top surface 2600 has one ormore bends, curves, undulations, protrusions, recesses, channels, etc.In an example, the top surface 2600 lies within a top rail surface plane2602. The top rail surface plane 2602 defines a first side 2604 and asecond side 2606. The clamp 2440 and the photovoltaic module 102 aredisposed on the first side 2604 of the top rail surface plane 2602. Thehead 2408 and the channel 206 are disposed on the second side 2606 ofthe top rail surface plane 2602.

The support structure 2420 is disposed between the clamp 2440 on a firstside 2620 of the support structure 2420 and the top rail surface plane2602 on a second side 2622 of the support structure 2420. In theillustrated example, the first side 2620 of the support structure 2420may be in contact with and/or adjacent to the clamp 2440. In thisexample, the second side 2622 of the support structure 2420 may bespaced a distance apart from the top surface 2600 of the rail 104. Insuch an example, the second side 2622 of the support structure 2420 maynot contact and/or engage the rail 104, but, rather, may be supportedthe distance apart from the rail 104 by the bolt 2402 (e.g., byreceiving the bolt 2402 therethrough).

The support structure 2420 can position the clamp 2440 at a firstlocation 2630 on the bolt 2402 when the second end 2406 of the bolt 2402is received within the rail 104 and the clamp 2440 does not secure theone or more photovoltaic modules 102 to the rail. Indeed, in thisexample, the clamp 2440 may be initially spaced a distance apart (e.g.,above) the photovoltaic module 102. As such, when the support structure2420 positions the clamp at the first location 2630, the photovoltaicmodule 102 can be moved with respect to the clamp 2440, such that thephotovoltaic module 102 can be oriented/positioned as desired. It willbe appreciated that the first location 2630 illustrated in FIG. 26 isnot intended to be limiting. Rather, in other examples, the firstlocation 2630 can be located higher or lower along the bolt 2402 than asillustrated. In these examples, the first location 2630 represents aposition in which the clamp 2440 may not interfere with, contact, and/orsecure the photovoltaic module 102, such that the photovoltaic module102 can be oriented/positioned as desired.

In the illustrated example, the first location 2630 may be located afirst distance 2632 from the top rail surface plane 2602 within whichthe top surface 2600 of the rail 104 lies. In this example, the firstdistance 2632 extends along a first distance axis 2634 that issubstantially parallel to the bolt axis 2410. The first distance 2632may be measured from the top rail surface plane 2602 to a bottom surface2636 of the clamp 2440. In the illustrated example, the clamp 2440 isdisposed on the first side 2620 of the top rail surface plane 2602 whenthe clamp 2440 is positioned at the first location 2630. The second end2406 of the bolt 2402 is disposed on the second side 2622 of the toprail surface plane 2602 when the second end 2406 of the bolt 2402 isreceived within the rail 104.

FIG. 27 illustrates a cross-sectional view (e.g., taken along line 26-26in FIG. 1 ) illustrating a clamping apparatus 2400 securing aphotovoltaic module 102 to a rail 104 via a channel 206 (shown in FIG.19 ). The support structure 2420 can position the clamp 2440 at a secondlocation 2700 on the bolt 2402 when the second end 2406 of the bolt 2402is received within the rail 104 and the clamp 2440 does secure the oneor more photovoltaic modules 102 to the rail. In this example, the nut2460 can be tightened onto the bolt 2402, thus causing the nut 2460 tomove in a downward direction with respect to the bolt 2402 towards thesecond end 2406 of the bolt 2402 and the head 2408. As the nut 2460 istightened, the clamp 2440 (and, thus, the support structure 2420) ismoved from the first location 2630 (e.g., illustrated in FIG. 26 ) onthe bolt 2402 downwardly towards the second location 2700 on the bolt2402. The nut 2460 can be tightened at least until the clamp 2440contacts/engages the photovoltaic module 102. Once the clamp 2440contacts/engages the photovoltaic module 102, the photovoltaic module102 is secured and is limited from being inadvertently removed from theclamping apparatus 2400 and the rail 104.

In the illustrated example, the second location 2700 may be located asecond distance 2702 from the top rail surface plane 2602 within whichthe top surface 2600 of the rail 104 lies. In this example, the seconddistance 2702 extends along a second distance axis 2704 that issubstantially parallel to the bolt axis 2410. The second distance 2702may be measured from the top rail surface plane 2602 to the bottomsurface 2636 of the clamp 2440. In such an example, the clamp 2440 isdisposed to the first side 2604 of the top rail surface plane 2602 whenthe clamp 2440 is positioned at the second location 2700, the firstdistance 2632 is different than the second distance 2702. In theillustrated examples, the first distance 2632 is greater than the seconddistance 2702.

The support structure 2420 has a support structure thickness 2706corresponding to a third distance 2708. The third distance 2708 ismeasured axially from a first end 2710 (e.g., top end) of the supportstructure to a second end 2712 (e.g., bottom end) of the supportstructure 2420. In an example, the third distance 2708 extends along asupport structure axis 2714 that is substantially parallel to the boltaxis 2410. The third distance 2708 may be less than the first distance2632 and less than the second distance 2652. In an example, the thirddistance 2708 may be less than about one half (½) of the second distance2652. In another example, the third distance 2708 may be less than aboutone quarter (¼) of the second distance 2652.

Having the third distance 2708 (e.g., corresponding to an axial lengthof the support structure 2420) be less than the second distance 2652 isbeneficial in a number of ways. First, the support structure 2420 has arelatively short axial length (e.g., between the first end 2710 and thesecond end 2712), thus reducing the cost of the support structure 2420(e.g., less material). Second, the support structure 2420 can bepositioned at a relatively large number of locations along the bolt2402, such that the clamp 2440 can be supported (e.g., by the supportstructure 2420) at a wide range of locations along the bolt 2402. Insome examples, such as those shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 , the supportstructure 2420 has an outer diameter 2654, and the outer diameter 2654is less than a width 2656 of the tab 2444 extending from the secondouter sidewall 2504 when the bolt 2402 is received within the supportstructure 2420. As such, the tabs 2444 are configured to contact aside-edge 2466 of the one or more photovoltaic modules 102. In this way,the tabs 2444 set the separation distance 2658 between the photovoltaicmodules 102, and the support structure 2420 is not in contact with atleast one of the photovoltaic modules 102 when the clamping apparatus2400 secures the photovoltaic module 102 to the rail 104. In someexamples, the previously described non-cylindrical feature of the shaftof the bolt 2402 faces the photovoltaic module 102 (e.g., the flat edgeis parallel to the side-edge 2466 of the photovoltaic module 102) whichenables a portion of the support structure 2420 to avoid contact with atleast one of the photovoltaic modules 102.

In some examples, the outer diameter 2654 of the support structure 2420is less than or equal to a separation distance 2716 between a firstphotovoltaic module 102 and a second photovoltaic module 2718 when theclamp 2440 secures the first photovoltaic module 102 and the secondphotovoltaic module 2718 to the rail 104 by engaging a top surface 2720of the first photovoltaic module 102 and a top surface 2722 of thesecond photovoltaic module 2718.

FIG. 28 illustrates a cross-sectional view (e.g., taken along line 26-26in FIG. 1 ) illustrating a clamping apparatus 2800 securing aphotovoltaic module 102 to a rail 104 via a channel 206. In someexamples, the support structure 2420 has an outer diameter 2802 that isequal to the width 2656 of the tab 2444 when the bolt 2402 is receivedwithin the support structure 2420. As such, both the tab 2444 and thesupport structure 2420 can contact the photovoltaic module 102 when theclamping apparatus 2800 secures the photovoltaic module 102 to the rail104. In some examples, the outer diameter 2802 of the support structure2420 is less than or equal to a width 2656 of the tab 2444 between afirst side-edge 2466 of the first photovoltaic module 201 and a secondside-edge 2804 of the second photovoltaic module 2718 when the clamp2440 secures the first photovoltaic module 201 and the secondphotovoltaic module 2718 to the rail 104. That is to say that the outerdiameter 2802 of the support structure 2420 is less than or equal to thewidth 2656 of the tab 2444 both when the clamping apparatus does notsecure the photovoltaic modules 102 to the rails 104 and when theclamping apparatus does secure the photovoltaic modules 102 to the rails104 (e.g., both before and after the installation process.

It is to be appreciated that in some examples, the support structure2420 as shown in FIG. 28 can include an outer diameter 2802 that islarger than the separation distance when the clamping apparatus 2800does not secure the photovoltaic modules 102 to the rails 104. However,during the installation process, the photovoltaic modules 102 can beurged toward the clamping apparatus 2800 to apply a force on the supportstructure 2420 from at least one of the first side-edge 2466 of thefirst photovoltaic module 201 and a second side-edge 2804 of the secondphotovoltaic module 2718. This force tends to reduce the diameter 2802of the support structure 2420 such that the support structure 2420 mayhave a diameter 2802 that is equal to or smaller than the width 2656 ofthe tab 2444 when the clamping apparatus does secure the photovoltaicmodules 102 to the rails 104. In these examples, the support structure2420 may have a dimension (e.g., a diameter) that is larger than thewidth 2656 of the tab 2444 prior to securement of the photovoltaicmodules 102 to the rails 104 and a dimension (e.g., a diameter) that issmaller to or equal than the width 2656 of the tab 2444 after thesecurement of the photovoltaic modules 102 to the rails 104.

FIG. 29 illustrates an underside of the clamp 2440. In some examples,the clamp defines an aperture 2900, and the aperture(s) 2900 can bepositioned radially around the bolt opening 2442. In further examples,the clamp 2440 can include a projection 2902 extending away from thebottom surface 2636 of the clamp 2440. When the nut 2460 urges the clamp2440 into contact with the photovoltaic module 102, the projection 2902can pierce an anodized coating on a metallic frame member of thephotovoltaic module 102 to provide a reliable electrical path betweenthe photovoltaic module 102 and the rail 104 through the clampingapparatus 2400.

In the aforementioned examples illustrated and described with respect toFIGS. 1 to 29 , the clamping apparatus (e.g., 300, 1300, 1700, 2400) maybe assembled prior to coupling it to the rail and/or it may be assembledas part of the act of coupling the clamping apparatus to the rail. Forexample, in one embodiment, the clamping apparatus is preassembled suchthat the bolt, support structure, clamp, and/or the nut are coupledtogether (e.g., fastened together) prior to the clamping apparatus beingcoupled to the rail (e.g., in a factory and/or at an installation site).In this way, the clamping apparatus is one unit prior to assembly withthe rail. However, in another embodiment, coupling the clampingapparatus to the rail may comprise assembling the clamping apparatus onthe rail. For example, a second end of the bolt may be inserted into achannel of the rail, and the rail may be positioned/oriented as desired.Subsequently, the support structure may be associated with the bolt, aclamp may be placed onto the bolt via a bolt opening of the clamp, and anut may be secured to the bolt to hold the support structure and clampin place.

Typically, the support structure is configured to maintain a relativeorientation of the clamping apparatus and the rail (e.g., such thatangle between the clamping apparatus and a top edge of the rail issubstantially ninety degrees). Moreover, in an embodiment, the supportstructure may be slightly compressed as part of the preassembly suchthat a degree of pressure is applied to the rail. Such pressure mayfurther assist in maintaining a position of the clamping apparatusrelative to the rail (e.g., such that the clamping apparatus does notslide along the channel). Thus, the support structure may be utilized toreduce slippage of the clamping apparatus when (an edge of) a module ispositioned between the rail and the clamp of the clamping apparatus, forexample.

As described above, in some embodiments, the clamp and/or the bolt maycomprise features that further aid in the installation of thephotovoltaic modules and/or in securing the photovoltaic module(s) tothe rail. For example, in one embodiment, the bolt may comprise a shafthaving a non-cylindrical portion and the clamp may comprise acorresponding (e.g., similarly shaped), non-cylindrical opening throughwhich the non-cylindrical portion of the bolt can be inserted. In thisway, rotation of the bolt relative to the clamp is reduced (e.g., toreduce the possibility of the bolt being turned in such a manner that itcan slip and/or rotate out of the channel). Moreover, the clamp maycomprise tabs that abut a side-edge of the photovoltaic modules tofurther reduce the possibility of the clamp rotating.

Once the rail is preassembled at (e.g., which includes coupling theclamping apparatus to the rail), the preassembled rail may be shippedfor assembly. In this way, the rail may be shipped from the factory withthe clamping apparatuses preinstalled at specified locations to reduceinstallation time on site, for example. To complete the installationonsite, the installer therefore merely attaches the rails to aninstallation site (e.g., a roof) inserts one or more modules into thespace between the top edge of the rail and the clamp (e.g., asestablished by the support structure), secures the module by tighteninga nut of the respective clamping apparatuses (e.g., already installed onthe rail), and connects wiring of photovoltaic module(s) to a power gridand/or power consumption device, for example.

It may be appreciated that the words “example” and/or “exemplary” areused herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration.Any aspect, design, etc. described herein as “example” and/or“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous overother aspects, designs, etc. Rather, use of these terms is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims may generally be construed to mean“one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to bedirected to a singular form. Also, at least one of A and B or the likegenerally means A or B or both A and B.

Although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to oneor more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications willoccur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading andunderstanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. Thedisclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and islimited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regardto the various functions performed by the above described components(e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated example implementations of thedisclosure. Similarly, illustrated ordering(s) of acts is not meant tobe limiting, such that different orderings comprising the same ofdifferent (e.g., numbers) of acts are intended to fall within the scopeof the instant disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature ofthe disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one ofseveral implementations, such feature may be combined with one or moreother features of the other implementations as may be desired andadvantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, tothe extent that the terms “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, orvariants thereof are used in either the detailed description or theclaims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A clamping apparatus configured to secure one ormore photovoltaic modules to a rail, the clamping apparatus comprising:a bolt extending along a bolt axis between a first end of the bolt and asecond end of the bolt, wherein the second end of the bolt is configuredto be received within the rail, the bolt comprising a shaft including anon-cylindrical portion; a clamp defining a bolt opening into which thebolt is received, the clamp defining a top surface and a bottom surface;and a support structure configured to: position the clamp at a firstlocation on the bolt when the second end of the bolt is received withinthe rail and the clamp does not secure the one or more photovoltaicmodules to the rail, the first location a first distance from a top railsurface plane within which a top surface of the rail lies wherein thefirst distance extends along a first distance axis that is parallel tothe bolt axis and is measured from the top rail surface plane to thebottom surface of the clamp, and wherein the clamp is disposed to afirst side of the top rail surface plane when the clamp is positioned atthe first location and the second end of the bolt is disposed to asecond side of the top rail surface plane when the second end of thebolt is received within the rail, and position the clamp at a secondlocation on the bolt when the second end of the bolt is received withinthe rail and the clamp does secure the one or more photovoltaic modulesto the rail, the second location a second distance from the top railsurface plane wherein the second distance extends along a seconddistance axis that is parallel to the bolt axis and is measured from thetop rail surface plane to the bottom surface of the clamp, and whereinthe clamp is disposed to the first side of the top rail surface planewhen the clamp is positioned at the second location, the first distancedifferent than the second distance, wherein the bolt opening extendsthrough the top surface and the bottom surface of the clamp and isdefined by an inner sidewall of the clamp, the inner sidewall comprisinga cylindrical portion and a non-cylindrical portion and thenon-cylindrical portion is at least one of parallel to a first outersidewall of the clamp from which a tab does not extend or perpendicularto a second outer sidewall of the clamp from which a tab does extend,and the non-cylindrical portion of the shaft of the bolt cooperates withthe non-cylindrical portion of the inner sidewall defining the boltopening to inhibit rotation of the bolt relative to the clamp.
 2. Theclamping apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure has asupport structure thickness corresponding to a third distance measuredfrom a first end of the support structure to a second end of the supportstructure, wherein the third distance extends along a support structureaxis that is parallel to the bolt axis and is less than the firstdistance and less than the second distance.
 3. The clamping apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein an outer circumference of the support structure has aninfinite slope.
 4. The clamping apparatus of claim 1, wherein thesupport structure defines a second bolt opening into which the bolt isreceived.
 5. The clamping apparatus of claim 4, wherein a sidewall ofthe support structure defining the second bolt opening is non-threaded.6. The clamping apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second bolt openinghas a first cross-sectional profile when the bolt is not received withinthe second bolt opening and a second cross-sectional profile, differentthan the first cross-sectional profile, when the bolt is received withinthe second bolt opening.
 7. The clamping apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe first cross-sectional profile has a first diameter and the secondcross-sectional profile has a second diameter.
 8. The clamping apparatusof claim 7, wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter.9. The clamping apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bolt has a thirddiameter that is larger than the first diameter and less than or equalto the second diameter.
 10. The clamping apparatus of claim 1, whereinan outer diameter of the support structure is less than a width of thetab extending from the second outer sidewall.
 11. A clamping apparatusto secure one or more photovoltaic modules to a rail, the clampingapparatus comprising: a bolt extending along a bolt axis between a firstend of the bolt and a second end of the bolt, wherein the second end ofthe bolt is configured to be received within the rail; a clamp defininga bolt opening into which the bolt is received; and a support structureconfigured to: position the clamp at a first location on the bolt whenthe second end of the bolt is received within the rail and the clampdoes not secure the one or more photovoltaic modules to the rail, thefirst location a first distance from a top rail surface plane withinwhich a top surface of the rail lies wherein the first distance extendsalong a first distance axis that is parallel to the bolt axis and ismeasured from the top rail surface plane to a bottom surface of theclamp, and wherein the clamp is disposed to a first side of the top railsurface plane when the clamp is positioned at the first location and thesecond end of the bolt is disposed to a second side of the top railsurface plane when the second end of the bolt is received within therail, and position the clamp at a second location on the bolt when thesecond end of the bolt is received within the rail and the clamp doessecure the one or more photovoltaic modules to the rail, the secondlocation a second distance from the top rail surface plane wherein thesecond distance extends along a second distance axis that is parallel tothe bolt axis and is measured from the top rail surface plane to thebottom surface of the clamp, and wherein the clamp is disposed to thefirst side of the top rail surface plane when the clamp is positioned atthe second location, the first distance different than the seconddistance, and wherein: when the clamp is at the first location on thebolt, the support structure is not compressed in a direction parallel tothe bolt axis and supports the clamp such that no structure is disposedbetween the support structure and the top surface of the rail and thesupport structure does not contact the top surface of the rail, and whenthe clamp is at the second location on the bolt, the support structureis compressed in the direction parallel to the bolt axis as a functionof a force used to move the clamp from the first location to the secondlocation.
 12. The clamping apparatus of claim 11, wherein an outerdiameter of the support structure is less than or equal to a width of atab between a first side-edge of a first photovoltaic module and asecond side-edge of a second photovoltaic module when the clamp securesthe first photovoltaic module and the second photovoltaic module to therail.
 13. The clamping apparatus of claim 11, wherein an inner sidewallof the clamp that defines the bolt opening is non-cylindrical and is atleast one of parallel to a first outer sidewall of the clamp from whicha tab does not extend or perpendicular to a second outer sidewall of theclamp from which a tab does extend.
 14. A clamping apparatus configuredto secure one or more photovoltaic modules to a rail, the clampingapparatus comprising: a bolt extending along a bolt axis between a firstend of the bolt and a second end of the bolt, wherein the second end ofthe bolt is configured to be received within the rail; a clamp, theclamp comprising a tab that is configured to separate a firstphotovoltaic module from a second photovoltaic module, the clampdefining a bolt opening into which the bolt is received; and a supportstructure configured to: position the clamp at a first location on thebolt, via radial compression, when the second end of the bolt isreceived within the rail and the clamp does not secure the one or morephotovoltaic modules to the rail, the first location a first distancefrom a top rail surface plane within which a top surface of the raillies wherein the first distance extends along a first distance axis thatis parallel to the bolt axis and is measured from the top rail surfaceplane to a bottom surface of the clamp, and wherein the clamp isdisposed to a first side of the top rail surface plane when the clamp ispositioned at the first location and the second end of the bolt isdisposed to a second side of the top rail surface plane when the secondend of the bolt is received within the rail, and position the clamp at asecond location on the bolt, via radial compression, when the second endof the bolt is received within the rail and the clamp does secure theone or more photovoltaic modules to the rail, the second location asecond distance from the top rail surface plane wherein the seconddistance extends along a second distance axis that is parallel to thebolt axis and is measured from the top rail surface plane to the bottomsurface of the clamp, and wherein the clamp is disposed to the firstside of the top rail surface plane when the clamp is positioned at thesecond location, the first distance different than the second distance,and wherein an outer diameter of the support structure is less than orequal to a width of the tab, wherein the width of the tab is measuredbetween a first side of the tab and a second side of the tab and thefirst side of the tab contacts a first sidewall of the firstphotovoltaic module and the second side of the tab contacts a firstsidewall of the second photovoltaic module when the tab separates thefirst photovoltaic module from the second photovoltaic module.
 15. Theclamping apparatus of claim 14, wherein the tab extends from an outersidewall of the clamp.
 16. The clamping apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe support structure is spaced apart from the top surface of the railwhen the support structure positions the clamp at the first location andwhen the support structure positions the clamp at the second location.17. The clamping apparatus of claim 14, wherein the support structuredefines a second bolt opening into which the bolt is received.
 18. Theclamping apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second bolt opening has afirst cross-sectional profile when the bolt is not received within thesecond bolt opening and a second cross-sectional profile, different thanthe first cross-sectional profile, when the bolt is received within thesecond bolt opening.
 19. The clamping apparatus of claim 18, wherein thefirst cross-sectional profile has a first diameter and the secondcross-sectional profile has a second diameter.
 20. The clampingapparatus of claim 14, wherein an inner sidewall of the clamp thatdefines the bolt opening is non-cylindrical and is at least one ofparallel to a first outer sidewall of the clamp from which the tab doesnot extend or perpendicular to a second outer sidewall of the clamp fromwhich the tab does extend.
 21. A clamping apparatus configured to secureone or more photovoltaic modules to a rail, the clamping apparatuscomprising: a bolt extending along a bolt axis between a first end ofthe bolt and a second end of the bolt, wherein the second end of thebolt is configured to be received within the rail; a clamp, the clampcomprising a tab that is configured to separate a first photovoltaicmodule from a second photovoltaic module, the clamp defining a boltopening into which the bolt is received; and a support structureconfigured to: position the clamp at a first location on the bolt whenthe second end of the bolt is received within the rail and the clampdoes not secure the one or more photovoltaic modules to the rail, thefirst location a first distance from a top rail surface plane withinwhich a top surface of the rail lies wherein the first distance extendsalong a first distance axis that is parallel to the bolt axis and ismeasured from the top rail surface plane to a bottom surface of theclamp, and wherein the clamp is disposed to a first side of the top railsurface plane when the clamp is positioned at the first location and thesecond end of the bolt is disposed to a second side of the top railsurface plane when the second end of the bolt is received within therail, and position the clamp at a second location on the bolt when thesecond end of the bolt is received within the rail and the clamp doessecure the one or more photovoltaic modules to the rail, the secondlocation a second distance from the top rail surface plane wherein thesecond distance extends along a second distance axis that is parallel tothe bolt axis and is measured from the top rail surface plane to thebottom surface of the clamp, and wherein the clamp is disposed to thefirst side of the top rail surface plane when the clamp is positioned atthe second location, the first distance different than the seconddistance, and wherein: an outer diameter of the support structure isless than or equal to a width of the tab, wherein the width of the tabis measured between a first side of the tab and a second side of the taband the first side of the tab contacts a first sidewall of the firstphotovoltaic module and the second side of the tab contacts a firstsidewall of the second photovoltaic module when the tab separates thefirst photovoltaic module from the second photovoltaic module, thesupport structure defines a second bolt opening into which the bolt isreceived, and the second bolt opening has a first cross-sectionalprofile when the bolt is not received within the second bolt opening andthe second bolt opening has a second cross-sectional profile when thebolt is received within the second bolt opening, the secondcross-sectional profile different than the first cross-sectionalprofile, and the first cross-sectional profile and the secondcross-sectional profile are taken at a same location across the supportstructure.